Monday, 13 February 2017

All You Need is Love

We sent Valentine cards to our grandsons when they were
small, now it’s the turn of our granddaughters, only this year we sent books as
well. It’s very easy to spread the joy of reading. A book left in a waiting
room, a surprise in the post. It doesn’t take much. My Godmother never failed
to send a book on my birthday and at Christmas, some were way beyond my reading
ability but if anything it encouraged me to try harder. My dad also loved books
and he and I enjoyed nothing more than browsing second-hand bookshops. Now it’s
my turn to spread the love.

Speaking of love and grandchildren it must be time for an
update. Our granddaughter Zoe was six in January and is already into her second
school year. Her little sister Lilly doesn't start school until January 2018,
but in the meantime she is loving kindergarten. As most of you know our son,
daughter-in-law, and two little granddaughters live in Australia, while our two
grandsons are in England. I recently shared some photographs of our grandsons,
and today I'm sharing a few of our granddaughters. I hope you enjoy them.

Zoe Christmas Day 2016

and on her 6th birthday in January 2017 –
can you spot the difference?

Lilly at the beach January 2017

and at kindergarten a few days later.

In case you are wondering this is how her painting turned out.

I’m sure you can guess what it is but to give you a hint the small purple spots are snow, and the larger one is a present.

Always remember there is enough love in each of our hearts to heal the world.

Ah! Another lovely 'SLICE' of loveliness...With musical overtones...! All You Need Is Love...The Beatles..67/87...Heal The World...Michael Jackson..92..! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWf-eARnf6U

And..Yes! Valentines Day tomorrow...14th. Goodness! I shall be busy, I've already had the Post Office on the phone, several sacks of cards to be delivered...must get some help in! :). "Willie..you don't half talk a load of trollop". HeHe! wishful thinking!!! :0).

Oh! Just remembered another song...On the side of the phone box...Hello! Lionel Richie...No1 in 1984.

And talking about slices...I popped up the chocolate factory last Friday..picked some bit's and pieces up.They had some Sicilian Cassata there, half price..£2So got myself a slice...Which l'm gonna enjoy with a Moka coffee, as soon as l've finished here...Yum! Yum! And, a little Sicilian music in the background! I shall enjoy it ALL..out on the patio..a tad cold, but,the sun's out in ALL it's glory! Ah! How the rich live...!

I just knew you would get the musical references Willie, and you never let me down!

You also spotted Zoe’s tooth, well done, although I’m pretty certain it FELL out – you are a one!

I never doubted you would get sack loads of Valentine’s cards from your adoring public. Speaking of which I might try to ‘persuade’ Terry to pop up the Post Office, I’m sure they have some left-over cards on display, and they might have some half price chocolates if I’m lucky. I won’t be eating them on the patio though, it’s freezing out there! Be sure to wrap up well Willie, you might be rich, but you can still catch a cold. :-)

As if I would ever tell you to wrap up – keeping warm is one thing, wrapping up is entirely something else! Besides I enjoy our ‘chats’ far too much to say that to you.

As for the book, it would be like a treasure hunt. You could leave a note with the pages at the doctors telling people to proceed to the dentist and so on! On second thoughts just think of all the germs, much better to wrap up and sit on your patio! :-) x

Good morning Barbara dear! Your grands are GORGEOUS and the first photo, she looks just like YOU!!!!!!! Books are a marvelous gift for anyone. Oh how I wish you a grand Valentine's day and more LOVE to come!

You couldn’t have paid me a greater compliment Anita, thank you! Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day I hope your lovely husband spoils you. Before I go, I must mention your latest Instagram and blog photographs, they are just beautiful. Barbara x

Lovely post. Lovely pictures of your granddaughters who are beautiful. Spreading the love through books is such a great thing. I sent mine out last week and the recipients all have them and are enjoying them already. Thanks again for the great introduction to International Book Giving Day!

You are most welcome Beth Ann, and thank you for featuring Book Giving Day on your blog. Thank you also for your kind words about Zoe and Lilly, we think they are beautiful but then as grandparents we are bound to. :)

I keep most of my love for the love of the memories of the love of my wife, Who for forty-nine happy, wonderful years was the love of my life.We shared a love so tender, yet deep, fulfilling, complete, Thoughts of it’s beauty and passion now do cause me to weep.

Having said that I still have great fondness and regard for others in my life and have not forgotten what day it is tomorrow.

Zoe and Lilly are ADORABLE! Happy Valentine's day, Barbara! I hope you have scrumptious chocolates, flowers, and your choice of a lovely book to relax with.Lots of hugs, of course! including a Big (((HUG))) from me.Lucky Willie! I wish I could have some Sicilian cassata. Maybe I can find a good recipe...

Thank you, Willie! Truly easier to make than to buy -unless I travel a very long distance.Very sweet of you to post the link!Barbara! I am having a lovely day. Flowers are blooming, chocolate is delicious! I am happy. I hope you are replete with good things as well. We know Willie is!

Hello Colleen, your flowers and chocolate sound perfect to me, and I’m glad you had such a nice day. We spent a quiet day at home because Terry is in quite a bit of pain after having a tooth extracted at the end of last week. He has stitches in his gum, and his mouth is very sore. We’ve promised ourselves a nice lunch somewhere when he is feeling better.I think Willie must have repetitive sprain injury after opening all those cards! :-)

Hello Barbara, having grandchildren is such a wonderful experience and I can see you enjoy it so much as well. It's a whole new level of love that we didn't realise could exist. Your granddaughters are delightful and are showing creativity so beautifully. Thank you for sharing, it's a beautiful heartwarming post.Cheerio now :D)

Hello Sue, Terry and I are blessed to have four wonderful young people in our lives. We thought our lives were complete when our son was born but for him to share his four amazing children with us is more than we ever expected or deserved. We are rich beyond measure. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the post, thank you. Have a lovely day. Barbara x

Lovely valentines and BEAUTIFUL pictures of your granddaughters! A second before I spotted the missing tooth, I thought her pretty hair looked a tiny bit shorter. Fun to see them both working. Happy Valentine's Day, Barbara!

Aww, such beautiful grandchildren 🖤 The gift of books is always a perfect idea. A nearby village have started wrapping books in brown paper and leaving them in bus shelters and on park benches for people to find, read and pass on. I'm thinking of beginning the tradition in my own town. I do love vintage cards. Belated Valentine's wishes to you, dear Barbara xx

Thank you Yvonne, I certainly think so, but I suppose that is only natural. :-)We all share books among friends so really it’s just about widening the circle a little. It’s a win-win situation the person giving the book feels good as does the finder.

Your granddaughters are gorgeous. Books are my favorite present to get and give. And the old fashioned valentines are so much prettier than the ones I buy for my kids. Today, sadly, it's all about the candy instead of the card.

I love the idea of sending books along with Valentines to family members. So sweet! Hope lots of books were shared during International Book Giving Day! So fun and World Read Aloud Day was this past week too. Lots of reading celebrations around the world. Love it!

Hello Stephanie, I love it too, the more books we share the better as far as I’m concerned! Thank you for your kind words about Zoe and Lilly. We think they are the most beautiful children in the world, but then I’m sure that is the say for all grandparents.

I love the pictures of Zoe and Lilly, Barbara. Yes, I spotted the difference and kindergarten is a wonderful place to be. So much playing and creating! Didn't know it was your father who'd influenced you on book-shopping/hunting in second-hand stores. Giving books as valentines is the most romantic idea. They last so much longer than flowers and chocolates. Hope you had a great one!

Lilly loves kindergarten, especially as she misses her sister now she is at school. She is a very busy little girl and is happy to occupy herself, but it’s good for her to mix with other children. My dad loved books and bookshops, and he and I always enjoyed those Saturday mornings. My brother and sister are a lot older than me, and mum wasn’t interested in reading so it became something of a tradition for dad and I. In the summer, we scoured the bookshop then bought a bag of cherries or some other fruit from the market, which we ate sitting on a bench before a walk around the church yard. We must have read all the headstones during those Saturday mornings! On winter days, it was the bookshop followed by a walk to Woolworth to buy penny sweets or maybe a cake which we ate sitting in the car. It was the one time during the week I didn’t have to share dad with anyone else and I always treasured it. I hope you are enjoying a happy week Claudine. Hugs Barbara

Thank you Shashi, they are certainly beautiful and precious to us. I always check with my son and daughter-in-law before sharing the photos, and I'm careful not to say too much about where they live, but it is good, sensible advice, and I appreciate it, thank you.

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About Me

This is where I share my collection of vintage
books, and other favourite things. I
also showcase new children’s books written by authors I admire. I am an
ex-bookseller, now full time blogger. My husband and I live in a small village
in Somerset, UK. Thanks for visiting. Barbara xx

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There are fairies at the bottom of our garden! It's not so very far away; you pass the gardener’s shed and you just keep straight ahead, I do so hope they've really come to stay. Rose Fyleman

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When little elves have cut themselves, or mouse has hurt her tail, or froggie's arm has come to harm, this herb will never fail. The fairy's skill can cure each ill and soothe the sorest pain; She'll bathe, and bind, and soon they'll find that they are well again. Flower Fairies of the wayside C. M. Barker.